How to Repair Corrupt Exchange Database

If you’re struggling through Exchange Server database corruption issues and stuck in the middle of everything and cannot find out a way to fix it without compromising with the information and data which still exists on the database.

The most imperative thing at first is to identify the reason behind and learn the exact way you can use to get over the problem because in the worst-case scenarios, you can mess the database file and will lose all the data, which adversely would create consequences for sure.

In this article, we’ll explain to you how to find out the cause behind the corruption and how effectively you can fix the issue without putting the database file in any more danger.

Corruption Type
Knowing about the right reason and the right type of corruption, tackling the problem would become effective.

So, there are two types of database corruptions one of which may fall in your case, which are as follows:Physical and Logical Corruptions, both are the primary type of corruptions which may encounter with the Microsoft Exchange Server. Let’s dive in a little deep about of the types.

Software/Lite Corruption:

The occurrence of Logical corruption can happen at discrete levels, and it is quite complex to find out the specific level on which it took place. At the database level, it is possible that you may have invalid index entries or cross-object chain linkage due to database engine failure. Also, you may encounter the chances of database corruption in the database file header or some specific incorrect access control levels.

Hardware Corruption:
The cases of Physical corruption are utterly considered critical. Though in the matter of Physical corruption, it requires the involvement of data recovery experts to examine the corrupt or damaged Exchange database, and specifically Sever/Database repair & recovery specialists. We’ll talk about who you can call for the repair & recovery a bit later in this article below.

What to do?
So, what are your options in cases like above? Well, like we discussed if it is the scene of Physical corruption the touch of a repair & recovery specialist becomes necessary. But what can you do if the Exchange Server database is suffering through Logical corruption?

Fix for corrupt database due to Logical Corruption
There could be tons of reasons for the existence of Logical corruption, as it is quite not straight to predict the exact reason behind because every reason for corruption is very specific, though Logical corruption can take place any time. Application malfunction, Unexpected database shutdown, Virus & Malware attacks, and other possible things are the reason abaft the Logical corruption.

At some extent, it is challenging to source out the problem which later turns out as frustration & the task becomes time taking for the absolute prevention.

Repair Corrupt Exchange Database using the Eseutil Utility
A database is a document which consists of Tables and record, though in cases of corruption to rectify the file integrity and verify the file structure, Eseutil utility comes handy. It allows overcoming integrity issues that are related to the information store and the directory.

Repair Corrupt Exchange Database using the ISinteg Utility
Isinteg is an abbreviation for Information Store Integrity Checker. The workability of this built-in utility is comprehensive. It scans the Exchange server database to amend those errors causing severe problems while logging in of the user to the Exchange Server Database. The utility runs checks over the public and private information store databases. Also, the utility runs checks for tasks like data acquiring, file opening and removing specific emails, etc.

Isinteg utility turns out to be a savior in various horrible recovery situations, for example, System Crash and creates log information in the event viewer, logging about the whole recovery process in detail, though with the help of logs you can track the reason and be ready in advance from future Logical corruption or damage issues.

Can you take advance prevention measures to avoid the occurrence of Software/Lite corruption?
Yes, it is possible. You can act towards the software corruption issues and avoid the chances of occurrence in advance. Inversely, it will save you a lot of time from putting your brains out in sorting the problem and avoid any possible risks of corruption. Below are the recommended steps to prevent the corruption in advance:

Make sure to mark your system safe from a variety of Malware & Virus attacks and confirm there is no modification in the configuration.

For business enterprises, Corporate & Non-corporate personnel, it is recommended to have the latest service pack of Microsoft Exchange Server installed on your system. These current service pack builds bring all the bug fixes and performance enhancements. Also, the service pack helps in sorting trivial issues faced while using MS Exchange Server.

What to do when Eseutil & ISinteg didn’t work?
In the situation when you’ve tried both the Eseutil & Isinteg utilities as per the respective call, but none of it worked, and this is when any furthermore interaction with the corrupt exchange database would lead to disastrous aftermath.

Opting for a professional tool of the same genre would be the best option and is the best guidance. Recoveryfix for Exchange Server Recovery is an advanced & professional software which can save you from the corruption fiasco.

The tool provides a diversity of features to convert edb file to pst, backup, export, etc. And you do not worry if you’re still using an older version of Exchange Server because the tool offers wide support for different Exchange Server release like Exchange Server 2000, 2003, 2010, 2013, 2016 & 2019, the latest version.

Conclusion
Usually, the built-in utilities for recovery work like a charm when the level of corruption is not intense. But in unfavorable situations using a professional tool is the choice that remains.